SUREFIRE WAYS YOU CAN BOOST WAREHOUSE PRODUCTIVITY IN JUST ONE DAY BY STEPHEN (STEVE) T. HOPPER, PE
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n the fast-paced world of warehousing and fulfillment, stressed-out managers are faced with demanding customers, high order volumes, tight deadlines, and a tight labor market, so improving worker productivity is vital. Fortunately, you can boost the productivity of your workforce quickly, without having to spend a lot of money. For example, here are 10 practical ways you can enhance productivity in your warehouse or fulfillment center in just one day: Equip and Organize Workstations Efficiently – Efficiency starts at the workstation. (This might be a cart, pallet jack, or truck for mobile workers in the warehouse.) Standardize all workstations so that the right tools and materials are in the right locations, within easy reach: scanners, tablets, computers, printers, scales, pens and markers, packing materials and tape, utility knives, tape measures, flashlights, labels, paperwork and forms, gloves, cleaning supplies, etc. Declutter work areas and provide the necessary ergonomic adjustments to reduce strain and improve comfort. This simple step will cut down on time spent searching for tools and materials, allowing your workers to get their work done more productively. Slot Inventory Efficiently in Picking Areas – Think about your kitchen. You probably keep the things you use most often in the most convenient locations: drinking glasses in the cabinet next to the refrigerator, paper towels beside the sink, etc. And you probably keep that ice-cream maker you use once a year up on the top shelf of your pantry in the garage. Apply the same logic in your warehouse. Place your high-velocity (more popular) stock-keeping units (SKUs) up front, close to packing and shipping areas, and place them in the “golden zone” between the knees and shoulders of order pickers. This will reduce travel and reach, allowing your pickers to access
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fast-moving SKUs more quickly, increasing order picking speeds and boosting productivity. Implement Effective Visual Management – A well-organized warehouse is a productive warehouse. Use highly visible color coding to indicate specific zones and product categories. Post logical, easy-to-read signs and labels in strategic locations. Mark the floor with paint or tape to indicate aisles, staging lanes, work zones, restricted areas, and parking spaces for pallets, trucks, and carts. Effective visual management will reduce errors, improve efficiency, and enhance safety, resulting in better productivity. Play Upbeat Music – Help your workers get their jam on. Boost their mood and morale with upbeat music. Studies show that lively, positive music creates an energetic atmosphere that enhances productivity. Choose music styles that appeal to your workers, but ensure that the volume doesn’t interfere with safety and effective communication. Playing the right tunes will lift spirits and increase work pace, contributing to a more productive environment. Teach Supervisors to Be Coaches – If supervisors only monitor their workers passively, then productivity won’t improve. Train your supervisors not to be babysitters, but to be active coaches who actively train their team members. Establish an effective coaching program where supervisors work hands-on with each worker for at least one hour every month, providing praise for productive work and constructive feedback for needed improvement. Ensure that supervisors document these sessions on a chart so everyone can see improvement. Active, effective coaching will significantly improve worker skills and productivity.